Interviewing Skills: How to Ask Better Questions and Get Better Answers – PCI 459

Interviews are at the heart of many great podcasts — but asking the right questions takes more than reading from a list. In this episode of Podcast Insider, MacKenzie and Dave share tips for crafting thoughtful, engaging conversations that draw out your guest’s best stories and insights. Whether you’re new to interviewing or looking to refine your technique, you’ll learn how to prepare with purpose, stay present in the moment, and guide discussions that truly connect with listeners. Today’s Hosts: MacKenzie Bennett and Dave Clements How to Improve Your Interviewing Skills for Your Podcast Start with Curiosity, Not a Script A good interview starts with genuine curiosity. Instead of racing through a list of questions, focus on listening and reacting. Tips to improve your flow: Research your guest, but don’t over-prepare. Ask one question at a time. Follow up naturally — not mechanically. Let the guest finish their thought before jumping in. 💡 Blubrry helps: With our hosting tools and episode scheduling, you can plan interviews with confidence and stay focused on the conversation instead of the tech. Craft Questions That Open Doors Avoid yes/no questions and lean into prompts that invite storytelling and reflection. Try starting with: “Tell me about…” instead of “Did you…” “What was going through your mind when…” “How did that experience change your approach?” These questions lead to real, memorable answers that keep listeners hooked. 💡 Blubrry helps: Use your show notes and episode descriptions to highlight key takeaways — helping new listeners find your best moments fast. Silence Is Your Secret Weapon Most new hosts rush to fill silence, but short pauses can be powerful. They give your guest space to think — and often lead to deeper responses. Try waiting a full beat after your guest finishes speaking. You might be surprised what they add next. 💡 Blubrry helps: Our post-production options like Media Mastering and transcripts make editing smooth and professional while keeping those natural pauses intact. Stay Present — Not Performative The best interviewers sound like they’re discovering the story with their audience. Be conversational, but intentional: React honestly. Summarize or restate what your guest said before moving on. Don’t chase every tangent — guide gently back to the core topic. Your job is to keep listeners engaged while helping your guest shine. 💡 Blubrry helps: Whether you’re publishing through WordPress or our Blubrry Dashboard, our tools make it easy to present your content with polish and personality. The best place for support with any Blubrry product or service is our ticket system. Tickets give the whole team access vs. direct emails or calls. General podcasting discussion and more can be shared on the Blubrry Podcasting Facebook group. Fill out our listener survey at surveys.blubrry.com/podcastinsider Hosting customers can schedule a one-on-one call for a tech checkup with Mike ([email protected]).